Boys swimmer of the year: St. Augustine Prep's Paul Gallagher

Paul Gallagher wins the 100-yard freestyle race for St. Augustine Prep during a match against Cherry Hill East in Buena Vista Township this season.

Paul Gallagher of St. Augustine Prep reacts to his victory in the 100-yard freestyle at the state Meet of Champions at at the Gloucester County Institute of Technology in Deptford Township.

St. Augustine Prep senior Paul Gallagher went from being a
non-swimmer to winning the 100 freestyle state championship in just
three years.

Gallagher, a Linwood resident, switched from basketball to
swimming after his freshman year at the Prep, and this year emerged
as the top scorer of a Hermits team with numerous stars.

He won the 100-yard freestyle title at the state Individual
Swimming Championships, called the Meet of Champions, on March 7 at
Gloucester County Institute of Technology.

His time was 46.68 seconds. Gallagher, 18, the only
Cape-Atlantic League boy to win a state title, is The Press' Boys
Swimmer of the Year.

"It feels great, I worked hard for it," said Gallagher of his
selection.

"I'm happy to win at the Meet of Champions. Last year, I was a
little afraid of the 100 freestyle, because it's going to hurt. But
this year I said, ‘Why not make it hurt all the way.' I didn't mind
the pain so much. I like the 100 better than the 50 freestyle
because you can correct your mistakes."

St. Augustine coach Jon Stinson suggested to Gallagher that he
go out for swimming in his sophomore year, and he joined and was
part of an undefeated state champion. Last winter Gallagher was a
Press first-team All-Star.

"It's definitely a little surprising that he's progressed that
far in three years," Stinson said.

"He's a good kid and a good leader. There's definitely no
complaints about Paul Gallagher. He's just a hard worker who knows
what he has to do. He listens well and he tries to get better. He's
done a lot of stuff out of the water, because he enjoys it. It's a
lot of little things."

Gallagher is looking at several colleges and is undecided at
this point where he wants to go.